Shock Sabatoge in Columbus

[bret]

It just blows to write a post like this.

At the Columbus Goodguys autocross, someone randomly re-adjusted the shocks on at least 5 of the RideTech equipped cars. By re-adjusted, I don’t mean a couple clicks off from our intended settings, I mean radically misadjusted. Some were set to full soft, some to full stiff. Enough to dramatically change the performance of the cars [and trucks]. My 33 Ford, Rob McGreagors C10, Chris Smith’s C10, Jimi Day’s AMX, and Jason Brady’s C10 were all attacked. For whatever reason, none of the other RideTech customers were affected [that we know of]. This shock sabotage resulted in vehicles that quite unpredictable handling…to the point of being dangerous.
We know this was an intentional and deliberate action. My 33 is all exposed, but on the other vehicle you had to open hoods, open bed covers, or crawl underneath to get to the shock adjustments. We found a sweaty armprint on Smittys C10 fender [he’s real anal about such things].
Why? Obviously someone doesn’t want to see these vehicles go fast.
Who? I have no clue.
I know who it was NOT: our honorable competitors. The racing competition is tough but in addition to racing, we all routinely eat, drink, party and room with the same people who have just beaten us by a tenth. I know many of these people better than my blood relatives.
The business competition is also tough but I have a great relationship with EVERY suspension manufacturer in the country. I have their cell phone numbers, we buy and sell components with them, I’ve shared meals with all of them, even stayed at some of their houses. “Competitor” is not interchangeable with “enemy”. Detroit Speed, No Limit, SpeedTech, Schwartz, Chassisworks, JRI, Roadster Shop, QA1, TCI, Fatmans, BMR, AFCO, Hotchkis, Art Morrison, Penske…they all work as hard as we do to create the best products they can…and have no time nor tolerance for this kind of bull****.

To whomever did this…here is what you accomplished last weekend:
• You tainted the results for the winners.
• You proved how crucial proper shock tuning is and how easy it is to tune the RideTech pieces. Kudos for that one.
• You’ve stolen a bit of joy that we all get from this hobby. Now we all have to guard our cars. Shame on you.
• You’ve put yourself in a precarious position…did you really not see all the Go Pro cameras mounted on these cars? They’ve got a really wide lens…

I do not yet have a clue who did this, but I will find out. These type of people cannot keep their mouths shut for long.
Retribution? Wallowing in their own shame. They’ll need no help from me.

Rumor, innuendo, and uninformed opinion will not help this situation. If you WERE THERE and have DIRECT TANGIBLE information…my direct email is [email protected].

[ironworks]

That's just crazy. It would be awesome to catch someone on video.

I just can't imagine, what some one would be thinking they will gain in doing that. Heck even in that Rob mopped the floor in the sponsor shootout by giving it away with being nearly a second faster but hitting the cone.

I was at home in Sunny and Hott Bakersfield working on my tan in my back yard. So it was not me.

[Streetking]

Originally Posted by bret

It just blows to write a post like this.

At the Columbus Goodguys autocross, someone randomly re-adjusted the shocks on at least 5 of the RideTech equipped cars. By re-adjusted, I don’t mean a couple clicks off from our intended settings, I mean radically misadjusted. Some were set to full soft, some to full stiff. Enough to dramatically change the performance of the cars [and trucks]. My 33 Ford, Rob McGreagors C10, Chris Smith’s C10, Jimi Day’s AMX, and Jason Brady’s C10 were all attacked. For whatever reason, none of the other RideTech customers were affected [that we know of]. This shock sabotage resulted in vehicles that quite unpredictable handling…to the point of being dangerous.
We know this was an intentional and deliberate action. My 33 is all exposed, but on the other vehicle you had to open hoods, open bed covers, or crawl underneath to get to the shock adjustments. We found a sweaty armprint on Smittys C10 fender [he’s real anal about such things].
Why? Obviously someone doesn’t want to see these vehicles go fast.
Who? I have no clue.
I know who it was NOT: our honorable competitors. The racing competition is tough but in addition to racing, we all routinely eat, drink, party and room with the same people who have just beaten us by a tenth. I know many of these people better than my blood relatives.
The business competition is also tough but I have a great relationship with EVERY suspension manufacturer in the country. I have their cell phone numbers, we buy and sell components with them, I’ve shared meals with all of them, even stayed at some of their houses. “Competitor” is not interchangeable with “enemy”. Detroit Speed, No Limit, SpeedTech, Schwartz, Chassisworks, JRI, Roadster Shop, QA1, TCI, Fatmans, BMR, AFCO, Hotchkis, Art Morrison, Penske…they all work as hard as we do to create the best products they can…and have no time nor tolerance for this kind of bull****.

To whomever did this…here is what you accomplished last weekend:
• You tainted the results for the winners.
• You proved how crucial proper shock tuning is and how easy it is to tune the RideTech pieces. Kudos for that one.
• You’ve stolen a bit of joy that we all get from this hobby. Now we all have to guard our cars. Shame on you.
• You’ve put yourself in a precarious position…did you really not see all the Go Pro cameras mounted on these cars? They’ve got a really wide lens…

I do not yet have a clue who did this, but I will find out. These type of people cannot keep their mouths shut for long.
Retribution? Wallowing in their own shame. They’ll need no help from me.

Rumor, innuendo, and uninformed opinion will not help this situation. If you WERE THERE and have DIRECT TANGIBLE information…my direct email is [email protected].

Bret, I am very sorry this happened to you guys.. It's a shame some person/people have to stoop to such lows. You guys have great products and a great reputation. Don't worry, they will get theirs.. Eventually, someone will talk.

SW

[Ron Sutton]

That is horrible & unacceptable. Unfortunately I've seen it before from less than honorable people.

.

[Stuart Adams]

I'm sure you have already thought of maybe a security camera on the grounds that may have seen something. That would take some time, inside the grounds people during those hours are suspicious until not. Damn just messing with someone else's car is death, takes alot of balls. Good luck.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

WTF?!?! That's just straight CS. Were there kids running around the pits? Surly someone would have noticed someone sneaking around.

[Ketzer]

Originally Posted by Vince@MSperfab

WTF?!?! That's just straight CS. We're there kids running around the pits? Surly someone would have noticed someone sneeking around.

That was my first thought, had to be some little brat with just enough knowledge to know where the adjusting knobs were... as Bret said there is no way someone in the industry or a fellow competitor would do this. Those guys are like a big family.

When you guys find the perp out, he would be washing every car in the RideTech parking lot if it was up to me! ...and cutting the grass, and sweeping the warehouse, and getting his fingers ball-peened....



Jeff-

[DBasher]

Hard to imagine anyone doing this kinda thing, sorry to hear it. Besides the fairgrounds were the cars left anywhere else? Shipped to the show together?

You fire anyone lately?

[GrabberGT]

Im speechless. Hard to believe any self respecting car guy would do such a thing. Even if they thought it was a prank, a car guy would know better. Its just good etiquette. You dont touch someone elses car. I have to believe it was a kid. I dont want to think it can be any other way.

Im grad to hear no physical damage was done to either vehicle or persons as a result though. Im sure it was quite a shock (no punn intended) diving into the first corner and feeling the unexpected. Those "K" barriers get pretty scary.

[Viperlover]

I hope you find out who it was. You don't just go "adjusting" on someone else's car like that.

They deserve a good ole'